Online · School of Music · Worship & Music Studies
Principles of Worship and MinistryWRSP-501
Summer B 2022
Section B01
05/09/2022 to 07/01/2022
Modified 04/28/2022
Contact Information
See detailed faculty information in the learning management system.
Course Description
This course provides an overview of worship studies. Emphasis is given to principles of worship, history and theology of worship through the Old and New Testament and leadership skills necessary for worship leaders.
Requisites
Prerequisites
None
Rationale
At the heart of successful worship leadership is the preparation and presentation of worship. The course seeks to help the worship leader accomplish these tasks on a regular basis by raising awareness of the historical development of worship, foundational principles of worship, and Biblical leadership expectations within the evangelical tradition.
Measurable Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
Articulate the biblical and historical principles of worship
Apply historical worship practices to present day worship experiences
Express the need for personal and practical commitment to the practice of worship
Articulate the worship leader’s calling, preparation, and necessary conduct
Correlate theology of worship and the kingdom of God
Course Resources
Required Resources
Kauflin, Bob. True Worshipers: Seeking What Matters to God. Wheaton: Crossway, 2015. (ISBN: 978-1-4335-4230-5)
Mathena, Gary. One Thing Needful: An Invitation to the Study of Worship. Bloomington: WestBow Press, 2016. (ISBN: 978-1-4908-8961-0)
Roberts, Vaughan. God’s Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2002. (ISBN: 978-0-8308-5364-9)
The resource below will be provided to the student within the course as an e-book.
McKinion, Steve. Life and Practice in the Early Church : A Documentary Reader. New York, NY: New York University Press, 2001. 9780814756485
Disclaimer: The above resources provide information consistent with the latest research regarding the subject area. Liberty University does not necessarily endorse specific personal, religious, philosophical, or political positions found in these resources.
Additional Materials for Learning
Computer with basic audio/video output equipment
Internet access (broadband recommended)
Canvas recommended browsers
Microsoft Word
The Holy Bible
Turabian Writing Guide https://www.liberty.edu/academics/casas/academicsuccess/index.cfm?PID=11954
Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. Current ed. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
Course Assignments
Textbook readings and lecture presentations
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.
Discussions (4)
Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt. Each thread must demonstrate course-related knowledge while also sharing experiences as related to class concepts. In addition, the student is required to reply to at least 2 classmates. (MLOs A, B, C, E)
Summary and Response Papers (4)
The student will write 4 individual papers on selected chapters of God’s Big Picture and True Worshipers. Each paper will include a summary of the selected chapters as well as a personal response to the chapter principles. (MLOs A, B, C, D, E)
Quiz: God’s Kingdom and Worship History
The student will complete an open-book/open-note quiz, which contains multiple choice and true/false questions in relation to the studies from modules 1-4. (MLOs A, E)
Quiz: Culminating All Course Concepts
The student will complete an open-book/open-note quiz which contains multiple choice and true/false questions in relation to the studies from modules 1-8. (MLOs A, D, E)
Course Grading
Course Requirements Checklist
10
Discussion: What is Worship?
75
Summary and Response Paper: The Kingdom of God Assignment
125
Discussion: Old and New Testament Worship
75
Discussion: Medieval Worship and the Reformation
75
Quiz: God’s Kingdom and Worship History
100
Summary and Response Paper: Worship and Humility Assignment
125
Summary and Response Paper: Music, Worship, and Community Assignment
125
Summary and Response Paper: Perseverance and Perfect Worship Assignment
125
Discussion: Learning Outcomes and Personal Growth
75
Quiz: Culminating All Course Concepts
100
Policies
Late Assignment Policy
Course Assignments, including discussions, exams, and other graded assignments, should be submitted on time.
If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email.
Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:
Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will receive up to a 10% deduction.
Assignments submitted more than one week and less than 2 weeks late will receive up to a 20% deduction.
Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.
Group projects, including group discussion threads and/or replies, and assignments will not be accepted after the due date outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.
Disability Assistance
Students with a disability and those with medical conditions associated with pregnancy may contact Liberty University’s Online Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu for accommodations. Such accommodations require appropriate documentation of your condition. For more information about ODAS and the accommodations process, including how to request an accommodation, please visit https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation-support/. Requests for accommodations not related to disabilities or pregnancy must be directed to the Registrar’s Office, which generally handles medical needs support.
If you have a complaint related to disability discrimination or an accommodation that was not provided, you may contact ODAS or the Office of Equity and Compliance by phone at (434) 592-4999 or by email at equityandcompliance@liberty.edu. Click to see a full copy of Liberty’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy or the Student Disability Grievance Policy and Procedures.
Course Attendance
In an effort to comply with U.S. Department of Education policies, attendance is measured by physical class attendance or any submission of a required assignment within the enrollment dates of the course (such as examinations, written papers or projects, any discussion posts, etc.) or initiating any communication with one’s professor regarding an academic subject. More information regarding the attendance policy can be found in the Academic Course Catalogs. Regular attendance in online courses is expected throughout the length of the term. Students who do not attend within the first week of a sub-term by submitting a required academic assignment (such as the Course Requirements Checklist, an examination, written paper or project, discussion post, or other academic activity) will be dropped from the course. Students who wish to re-engage in the course are encouraged to contact Academic Advising to discuss their enrollment options. Students who begin an online course, but at some point in the semester cease attending, and do not provide official notification to withdraw, will be assigned a grade of “FN” (Failure for Non-Attendance). Students wishing to withdraw from courses after the official start date should familiarize themselves with the withdrawal policy.
Grading Scale
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F
940-1010
920-939
900-919
860-899
840-859
820-839
780-819
760-779
740-759
700-739
680-699
679 and below
For courses with a Pass/NP final grade, please refer to the Course Grading section of this syllabus for the assignment requirements and/or point value required to earn a Passing final grade.
Add/Drop Policy
The full policy statement and procedures are published in the Policy Directory.
Honor Code
University comprises a network of students, Alumni, faculty, staff and supporters that together form a Christian community based upon the truth of the Bible. This truth defines our foundational principles, from our Doctrinal Statement to the Code of Honor. These principles irrevocably align Liberty University’s operational procedures with the long tradition of university culture, which remains distinctively Christian, designed to preserve and advance truth. Our desire is to create a safe, comfortable environment within our community of learning, and we extend our academic and spiritual resources to all of our students with the goal of fostering academic maturity, spiritual growth and character development.
Communities are predicated on shared values and goals. The Code of Honor, an expression of the values from which our Doctrinal Statement was born, defines the fundamental principles by which our community exists. At the core of this code lie two essential concepts: a belief in the significance of all individuals, and a reliance on the existence of objective truth.
While we acknowledge that some may disagree with various elements of the Code of Honor, we maintain the expectation that our students will commit to respect and uphold the Code while enrolled at Liberty University.
Adherence to the principles and concepts established within facilitates the success of our students and strengthens the Liberty community.
The Code of Honor can be viewed in its entirety at http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=19155.
Schedule
Course calendar and related activities
When
Topic
Notes
Course Overview
Student Acknowledgements
Course Requirements Checklist
Module 1: Week 1
Learn
Read: 3 items
Watch: 3 items
Apply
Discussion: What is Worship?
Module 2: Week 2
Learn
Read: 3 items
Watch: 1 item
Apply
Summary and Response Paper: The Kingdom of God Assignment
Module 3: Week 3
Learn
Read: 6 items
Watch: 1 item
Apply
Discussion: Old and New Testament Worship
Module 4: Week 4
Learn
Read: 6 items
Watch: 3 items
Apply
Discussion: Medieval Worship and the Reformation
Quiz: God’s Kingdom and Worship History
Module 5: Week 5
Learn
Read: 2 items
Watch: 1 item
Apply
Summary and Response Paper: Worship and Humility Assignment
Module 6: Week 6
Learn
Read: 2 items
Watch: 1 item
Apply
Summary and Response Paper: Music, Worship, and Community Assignment
Module 7: Week 7
Learn
Read: 3 items
Watch: 1 item
Apply
Summary and Response Paper: Perseverance and Perfect Worship Assignment
Module 8: Week 8
Learn
Read: 4 items
Watch: 1 item
Apply
Discussion: Learning Outcomes and Personal Growth
Quiz: Culminating All Course Concepts